Chapter 15
Hudson slung his rucksack over his shoulder and hustled down the ramp of the C-17 five days later, happy as hell to be back in sunny Oahu. The hostage situation on the cruise ship had been precarious, but all of the passengers were now safely back on U.S. soil. The terrorists who’d taken it over hadn’t been so fortunate, but Hudson felt no remorse for the deaths of those evil men. It had been a well-planned operation and a surprise to intelligence agencies. No doubt stricter security would be enforced in the future. The terror cell hadn’t boarded it from the sea. They’d literally been on the ship, waiting for it to reach international waters.
He hopped in a vehicle to ride back for their debrief. First, however, they needed to stash their gear.
“Hell of an op,” Ryan said. “I never liked those massive cruise ships. Too many people crammed in one space.”
Sawyer chuckled beside him. “You’re in the Navy. How can you not like big ships?”
Ryan lifted a shoulder. “Battleships serve a purpose. Same with aircraft carriers. Destroyers. Civilians get on the huge cruise ship for self-contained fun. I can’t imagine anything worse than choosing to be in a tiny little cabin, forced to sit with people you don’t know at dinner, swimming in those small pools on the deck.”
“You’re just spoiled living in Hawaii,” Hudson said, ribbing him. “I never even saw the ocean until I joined the Navy.”
“Not too many oceans in Iowa,” Sawyer said, looking sympathetic. Hudson didn’t talk much about his upbringing but had confided in Sawyer about the shitty life he’d had. Hudson wasn’t looking for sympathy, just pointing out that not everyone came from stable middle-class families.
“Not a single one,” Hudson agreed. “I was lucky to get a meal some nights.”
“Sorry you had it so rough,” Ryan said.
Hudson lifted a shoulder. “I left as soon as I could. Most of the people in the foster homes where I ended up were terrible human beings, not just terrible parents. They wanted money, not a kid.”
“Good thing you’re big,” Sawyer said.
“Yep. Probably wouldn’t have survived otherwise.”
The mood sobered. Sure, they rushed into danger now, but he’d been a kid. Sawyer clapped him on the shoulder. “Can’t believe you’re going to be a father now, man.”
He smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah. Doesn’t seem possible.”
“And Layton already moved to Oahu, right?” Ryan asked.
“She was supposed to this past week. Not that I had a way of checking up on her in the middle of the damn ocean.”
Wyatt looked over from where he’d grabbed a seat. “Hate to say it, but it doesn’t get much easier. I have to trust that Callie’s okay while I’m gone, but knowing that she can’t contact me if she needs me? It’s rough.”
Hudson shook his head. “I don’t see how guys manage to have a family while they’re in the military. The kid’s not even born yet, and I already feel like I’m being torn in two different directions. I could almost pretend it wasn’t happening when Layton was back in D.C., but now that she’s moving here, shit’s getting real.”
“She’s already a couple of months along, right?” Wyatt asked.
Hudson nodded. “It’s going fast. Faster than I’d like.”
Sawyer shot him a look. “There’s no slowing down time. That little baby will be here whether you’re ready or not.”
***
Hudson got out of the shower, toweling off. He was exhausted and hungry, trying to decide if he should crash or shovel some food in his mouth first. The team had left so quickly the week before, he hadn’t even cleaned out his refrigerator. Knowing there was spoiled milk and other rotting food inside made him groan. He needed to grab some groceries tomorrow and figure out what to eat tonight.
He tossed his wet towel onto the bathroom counter and sauntered into his bedroom, completely naked. Despite living alone, he’d closed and locked his bedroom door. Just like always. Briefly, he wondered what Layton would think of that. And now that Layton was on his mind and he was literally standing beside his bed, naked, his cock was thickening.
She was gorgeous. Sexy and fun. And she was actually in Oahu now, not thousands of miles away.
Moving around the duffle bag of dirty gear he’d left on the floor, Hudson pulled open his dresser drawer. Quickly tugging on boxer briefs, shorts, and a tee shirt, his hair still damp from the shower, Hudson eyed his phone on the nightstand. He swiped the screen, looking at the text Layton had sent him a few days ago.
Layton: You’re not even home but managed to have groceries delivered to my door? Thank you. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more surprised. (Well. Unless you count our little surprise. Too soon to joke about it?)
Layton: Seriously. Thank you.
His lips twitched. Yes, it was too fucking soon to joke that he’d gotten her pregnant, but he also liked that about her. Layton rolled with the punches and continued on with her life. Her ex sounded like a prick, but in the brief time Hudson had seen Layton’s daughter, the little girl seemed happy and carefree. Layton hadn’t let any problems thrown her way slow her down. Some people hemmed and hawed about what to do with their lives, caught in indecision. She’d packed up and moved here, thousands of miles from home.
Maybe they were more alike than he’d first realized. Hudson had learned to adapt as a kid, had made something of himself. He busted his ass to get through BUD/S and become a Navy SEAL. He was as close to his teammates as if they were his real brothers.
Hudson had wanted to call her as soon as they’d rolled into base earlier, but it hadn’t felt right. The phone call would be rushed, and there was too much to say. He’d shot off a quick text to Layton earlier before heading to his debrief. If she’d heard from her sister that the team was back instead of directly from him, he knew she’d feel slighted.
Yeah, they’d jumped into bed together quickly—or rather, rushed straight to having sex. No beds had been involved. They were connected forever now, and despite his worries about being a father, a primal part of him loved that she was carrying his child.
Without a doubt, Hudson knew he’d be missing out on something big by not having Layton in his life. Yes, there was the baby on the way, but it was her. How she made him feel. She listened without judgment. Made him smile each time he saw her name pop up on his phone. No, he hadn’t shared a lot of personal information about himself. How could he? They were still only beginning to get to know one another. It felt like he knew all of the things that mattered about Layton, though. She was a devoted mom. Smart. Hardworking. Beautiful.
His phone buzzed in his hand, and Hudson did a double-take. A warmth filled his chest as he saw her name, followed by concern.
Layton: Glad you’re back safe! Sorry I didn’t respond earlier. This morning sickness is killer. :(
Hudson: It doesn’t go away after the morning?
Layton: Silly man. It lasts allll day. Hopefully it’ll be gone after the first trimester. That’s how it was with Caroline. ::fingers crossed::
Frowning, he pressed the button to call her. “Are you okay?” Hudson asked as she answered, not even bothering to say hello.
“Hanging in there,” she said, but he could hear the strain in her voice. Layton definitely wasn’t feeling well. “I’m about to order delivery so I can feed Caroline dinner. I’m not sure I can stomach cooking anything right now.”
He cursed and was surprised to her Layton’s laughter. “Hudson, I’ve been dealing with this for weeks. It’ll subside soon—hopefully. I’ve got a couple weeks to go, and then I’ll be in the second trimester. For now, I’m living on saltines, ginger ale, and popsicles.”
“Don’t order dinner. I’ll bring you something,” he decided. “Plus, I want to see this house you rented.”
“The house? What for?” she asked, seemingly more surprised by that than his offer to bring food.
“To see what neighborhood it’s in. Make sure the home is secure.”
“Hudson.”
“Princess, I’m a protective type of guy. I know you don’t think that given how I handled things—”
“I know you’re protective,” she said softly. “You were in shock before when I told you that I was pregnant, and given your upbringing, I’m not surprised. It’s a big change, but I already have a child. I know what to expect.
But I know you’re always watchful. When we were moving Emersyn into her place, you kept scanning the hallway, almost expecting for something dangerous to happen.”
“You noticed that?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes. And even when we went to the beach that night, you were looking around. Observant. You weren’t going to take me somewhere that wasn’t safe. I’d bet my life on it.”
Hudson blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think most people noticed things like that.”
“I’m a woman realtor. Of course I notice. I’m careful about who I’m with. If I don’t think I can trust someone, I’m certainly not going into an empty home alone with them.”
“Shit. I know what you do, obviously, but when you put it that way….”
“I’m fine, Hudson. I’ve been doing this for years, and I’m always cautious.”
“But you’re pregnant now,” he protested.
“I was pregnant then, too. Don’t forget that I have Caroline. You’re hardly one to talk. I’m sure I don’t know the half of your missions, but you’re a Navy SEAL. Your job is a million times more dangerous than mine.”
“I’m bigger than you, princess,” he said, his voice deep. “I can hold my own. Hell, I had to learn to fight just living where I did growing up.”
“Hudson.”
That funny feeling in his chest was back. It was cute as hell for Layton to worry about him, but something about it just socked him in the gut, too. He wasn’t used to someone caring about him, he realized. Sure, on missions, his buddies had his back. But in real life?
Nah. It wasn’t the same at all.
Except with Layton.
“I’m okay. I survived my childhood. I’ve got a pretty good gig now living in sunny Oahu,” he added, trying to lighten the mood. “What more do I need?” It was a rhetorical question. The answer, however, was right in front of him. A woman. A family. Ironic that he was getting some of it, when he hadn’t even been looking. Hudson was determined not to mess this up any more than he already had. Layton didn’t completely trust him—not with her heart, at any rate. But he’d prove it to her somehow. Be the guy she could depend on.
Hudson wasn’t going to give up without a fight. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes with some food.”
“Didn’t you just get home?”
“Yep. I did. I’ll see you soon, princess.”